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A Superdrug in Brighton

A Superdrug is set to become the second in the same area to close and reopen as a Savers.

The Superdrug on Hawick High Street in the Scottish Borders will close on 1 February and reopen as a branch of the health and beauty chain’s sister discounter two weeks later, a spokeswoman confirmed.

It comes after the Galashiels branch received the same treatment and will leave only one Superdrug in the Scottish Borders.

“We can confirm that Superdrug in Hawick will close on 1 February, reopening as a Savers Health & Beauty store on 13 February,” Superdrug’s spokeswoman said.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their continued support and look forward to welcoming them into our Kelso store. They can also shop at Superdrug.com for home delivery.”

She would not comment on whether the move was more widespread nor the reasons for it.

Savers sells branded, health, home and beauty products. The two chains are both part of the AS Watson Group, owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings.

Conversions of Superdrugs are also said to have taken place in the retailer’s latest reported financial year, when its growth was outstripped by that of Savers.

Superdrug’s revenue rose 3.3% to £1.28bn in the 52 weeks to 29 December 2018, while operating profit fell 4.5% to £95.2m. Savers, meanwhile, saw a 10.2% jump in revenue to £507m in the same period, while operating profit rose 10.1% to £51.2m.

Superdrug opened 23 new stores in the period and closed 13, putting the estate at 806. Savers opened 33 and closed three, leaving 441.